Thread-cutter for sewing-machines



(No Model.)

A. JOHNSTON. THREAD CUTTER FOR SEWING MACHINES. N0 257,718. Patented May 9,1882.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALLEN JOHNSTON, OF OTTUMWA, IOWA.

TH READ-CUTTER FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 257,718, dated May 9, 1882. 7

Application filed March 30, IBEQ.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALLEN JOHNSTON, of Ottumwa,in the county of Wapello and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful improvement in Thread-Gutters for Sewing-Machines, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates generally to devices known as thread-cutters for use on sewingmachines, and has particular reference to that class of attachments in which the knife or cutter is combined with means for holding the ends of the threads which remain inthe machine.

In the present invention two small disks or washers are mounted on a pin or short spindle and pressed together by means of a spring, so that they will clamp and hold the threads between them. The knife or cutter is arranged to act upon the threads while held by the disks, so that the cut ends which remain in the machine will be firmly held until removed from the clamping-disks by the operator. The disks are preferably pressed together by a bent spring and the cutting-edge formed on the spring itself, or that part which comes in line Y with the space between the disks.

The accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, represent a thread cutter and holder constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing the device in place on the presser-bar of a sewingmachine; Fig. 2, a similar view of the device detached, and Fig. 3 a longitudinal section, Figs. 2 and 3 being on an enlarged scale.

The two small disks or washers a a. are mounted on a pin or short spindle, b, and held in contact with each other by the pressure of a bent spring, 0, the spring a being also held on the pin or spindle b. The part c of spring 0 which comes in line with the space between (No model.)

the disks or washers is ground to an edge to form the knife or cutter.

The device is adapted to be attached to the machine, as shown in Fig. 1, the end of spindle I) being inserted in a hole usuallymade in the presser-bar of machines for the attachment of quilters but it may be attached to the machine in other ways.

In operation the threads are drawn up from the cloth-plate and led between the disks or washers a a, which hold them firmly, and are then pressed slightly bythe finger against the cutting-edge c, which severs them, detaching the fabric and leaving the ends of the threads which remain in the machine firmly held between the disks.

It is obvious that modifications can be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, instead of having the knife and spring formed in one piece, they could be made separately, and the pressure on the disks could be produced by a spiral or other form of spring.

I claim- I 1. The combination of the disks or washers, pressed together by a spring, and the knife or cutter, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the disks or washers,

spring, and knife or cutter in one piece with said spring, substantially as described.

3. A combined thread holder and cutter comprising two disks or washers pressed together by a bent spring, the cutting-edge being formed on said spring,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALLEN JOHNSTON.

Witnesses:

PHILIP ll/IAURO, G. J. HEDRIoK. 

